Irish Crochet and Crochetted Lace

Information

Irish crochet is made with a typical crochet hook, but always includes shaped motifs and may have some raised cords or layered bits. It is usually held together with a chain stitch mesh with picot loops decorating the chains. The group includes other forms of crochetted lace.

Discussion Forum

I've been away from doing crochet for quite a long time, but now I have this book called 'The Go-To Book for Irish Crochet Motifs and I'm interested again. This is something I would like as I think…Continue

Hi, my name is Megan, and I have started out learning Irish Crochet very recently. I am fascinated by the art, and have been studying Russian work, training my mind and eyes with a goal of creating a…Continue

I have now uploaded a photo on Irish Crochet and Picot Bigouden Crochet which is a result of a workshop with Maire Treanor and Helene last year. Sorry for the delay but I had to wait until I got on the main computer as I the photos are on my iPad and I couldn't get it to upload to this site.

Regarding hairpin lace--from pages 102-103 of The History of Needlework Tools and Accessories by Sylvia Groves (Arco Publishing, 1966, 1968, 1973): "An implement used in conjunction with a crochet hook, familiar in former times but now comparatively rare, is the two-pronged fork employed in hairpin-work. In appearance the tool closely resembles the lucet; indeed, it must be obvious to anyone who is accustomed to lucetting that it was from this that hairpin-work derived. The implement is in both cases held and revolved in the palm of the hand, though in hairpin-work the loops, formed with the aid of a crochet hook, are not tightened but remain on the fork in a double row. ... Although popular in Victorian days, hairpin-work is now seldom seen here, but is better known in France and Italy where, instead of the older fork, knitting needles are frequently used. They are secured in place by means of a regulator; a device consisting of two narrow metal plates fitting over one another and connected by screws. ... "

Lorelei. Thank you for your thoughts. I decided to research crochet and see if that gave me a lead to hairpin. It shows that original knitting needles had hooks on them. Not finished research yet, but this is interesting.

I have my doubts that crochet itself existed as early as Shakespeare's time. Knitting is older. I recall seeing something about Q. Eliz I having knitted stockings with a lace design on the instep. But I can't think of anything in crochet prior to the 19th century. But I admit I am not knowledgeable about knitting crochet or tatting.

Guide to Lace and Linens by Elizabeth M. Kurella has a brief section on Hairpin Lace on pp. 147 - 148. "Originally, in the 1870's, it was crocheted over the prongs of an ordinary hairpin - nothing more than a long u-shaped bent wire. ..."

Lorelei, thank you for that. I am a member of Ravelry and the hairpin crochet group on there and have asked on there but not had any response yet. I will have to do a further search on their site in case there is something more, I have also asked on the knitting and crochet group on Facebook and although I got a response from one lady, no information has been forthcoming as yet. But there is time and something may come through. It is strange that other crochet, needle, bobbin, tatting and netting origins can be found but not this one. I did read somewhere that it might have been done in Shakespeare times but that did not seem to have any information to substantiate it. And I am a member of the Irish crochet group on Ravelry having done a course with Maire Traenor last year.